Apparatus for covering pipe



Feb.1,1944. JtRHoRl-GN' '2,340,226

APPARATUSl FOR COVERING PIPE F11ed. May 18, l1942 1 4 sheets-sheet 1 ,4 from/Ey Feb. `1, 1944. J. R. HORRIGAN 2,340,325

. APPARATUS FOR covERING PIPE Y Filed'may `1s, 1942 4 sheets-sheet s IN VE N TOR J R. Herr/gan A T TOEWE Y Feb. 1, 1944. J, R. HRRIGAN 2,340,326

APPARATUS FOR covEaING PIPE Filed May 18, 1942 4 sheets-sheet 4 /Nl/ENTOR FI 7, J l?. Hor-rigan ArrokA/Ex Patented Feb. 1, 1944 APPARATUS Foa CovEmNG rIrE i Joseph R. Horrigan, Houstom, Tex., -assigner to:

Lewis Perrault and Ainslie Perrault, composing the copartnershp of Perrault Brothers, Tulsa, Okla. v

Application May 18, i942', Serial No. 443,538

1s claims. (ol. 242-11.)

This invention relatesto the coating and wrap- .ping of hodiea'andmore` particularly but not by way of limitation `to cylindrical 'bodies such as pipes, tubing and the like, with a protective covering of bituminous Amaterial and asbestos felt fabric, paper `or the like.

The apparatus for automatically and mechanically coating and Wrapping the `pipe is constructed andarranged vso as to travel along the pipe whereby the pipe is 'utilized as a track orsupport for they operating mechanism actuating the wrapping' means., lurthermore, the apparatus contemplates means for spreading 'a coating of bituminous' or otherasphaltic material onto the pipe prior to its beingwrapped and also after. I application of the wrapping material, if desired.

`Many present day pipe coating and wrapping machines are top heavy, cumbersome and bulky low .for variations in the width of overlap desired.

And -stilanother object of this invention is fto provide an'elcient wrapping apparatus having the gear'v means rotating `the wrapper arms supported from its outer periphery,l said gear in addition I-to reducingthe radius-of the path of the wrapping arms is allowed greater diameter in the bore of the gear for receiving the pipe, thus providing greater variation in the sizeof the pipe with which the apparatus can be used. This feature `is also `useful to allow the apparatus to readily pass over irregularities in the pipe such in that in addition'to the operating or actuating mechanismfor the wrapping means, the coating supply tank and the coating means are carried above the frame supported bythe pipe, such as the recent patents to J D. Cummings No. 2,194,268 and 2,253,848.` Furthermore, littlel c0n`- sideratlon has been given to the radius ofi the circular path made by thewrapping arms spirally mapping the asbestos felt, paperor the like. In view of this, during the operation of the machine the pipe must be elevated a substantial distance out ofl the lditch in order to provide `sufficient;

space for circulary movement of they wrapping rolls. fh this connectionit is necessary to continuously supply a tractor and hoist for maintaining the pipe in elevated position, out of the ditch, which obviously necessitates the usel of extra equipment and operating personnel therefor.

It is an important objectof this invention to provide a wrapping apparatus which reduces the radii of the circular path made by rotation of the wrapping rolls.

Another yobject ofv this invention is to `provide an eicient wrapping apparatus whereby the speed between the wrapping means and the propelling means ofthe machine may be easily varied, particularly the use of a speed reducing means for decreasing the. speed of the traction wheels when transgressing curvesor bends in i. the pipe so as to maintain uniformity in the lap wrapping arms may be adjusted inwardly or outn wardly with respect to the pipe to. be wrapped to reduce or increase the radius of the circular pathmade by the 4wrapping arms as well as almy invention.

as ttings, couplings or the like without disturbing the movement of the machine or tearing the wrapping.

And still another object of this invention is to provide a combination coating and` wrapping apparatus in which the mechanism is simple and compact wheremost of the weight of the machine Iis 4below the pipe .thereby eliminating top heavy equipment and the'need for a balancing pole to maintain themachine in equilibrium.

And" still another object of this invention isV a. to provide a combination pipe coating and wrapping machine wherein any desired thickness of coating is applied tothe surface of the pipe with 'a minimum use of coating materiaLsaid coating being applied under pressure and discharged against the entirev circumferential surface of a lportion of the pipe at one time to allow al smooth layer upon which the spiral wrapping of protective material is superimposed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which Referring to the drawings in detail:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention.

Figure 2 is a'fragmentary side view mostly in elevation, and with certain parts omitted for clarity.

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the rotating gear shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on lines 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an end view taken from the front of the machine and mainly in elevation, and with certain parts omitted for clarity.

Figure is a schematic fragmentary plan view for the power and drive mechanism.

Figure 7 is a vertical section of the coating shoe.

lFigure 8 is an elevation thereof. Referring to Pthe drawings in detail. elements illustrate one form of 2 Y of themachine .are supported bya frame comprising longitudinal side members 2 spaced above the pipe P by upright end legs 4 at one end thereof members 2 support hanging bearings B in alignment transversely of the machine, and in which are journaled freely rotatable axles or shafts I and II upon which tractionwlreels I2 are rigidly mounted, said wheels having substantially beveled peripheries in order to lconform with the contour of pipe P which they are adapted to speed reducing element is adjustable for any desired speed depending upon the pipe size whereby the rotation of shaft 34 can be synlike, and is adapted to receive any hoisting equipstraddle. The wheels are preferably provided f with serrations or teeth I4 for a more efficient engagement with the pipe. One end portion .of the shaft Illis provided with a pair of toothed sprockets I5 and I5. A sprocket chain I1 con nects sprocket I5 with a sprocket I8 xed to thel shaft Il. A sprocket chain I9 provides connection between sprocket I6 and a sprocket wheel 2.!!` rigidly secured to a differential shaft 2I a will be hereinafter referred to. l

n Drive 'mechanismy Mounted on the forward portion and at one side of the machine (see Figures 1, 5 and 6) is a source of power such as an engine 22, preferably a light internal combustion type connected witha rotatable drive shaft 23. The shaft 23 is journaied above the frame in a plurality of spaced bearings 23A supported by a member 2. Cooperating with the crank shaft 23 is a pair of twin disc clutches 24 and 25- arranged in spaced relation to each other and adapted to be individually controlled. by handles 26 and 21 for a purpose as will be hereinafter described. Each of the clutches 24 and 25 is provided with a shaft lcollar to which is secured respectively a toothed sprocket 28, 29 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. i

On the opposite sideof the machine from th engine, a ,differential unit 30 is mounted'on a side member 2. The unit 30 is connected with a variable speed reducing element 3| through a shaft 32 and coupling 33.

An vauxiliary drive shaft 34 in alignment with speed reducer 3I is supported on theA frame by bearings 35, and is connected with the speed reducer through a coupling 36.

' ,A toothed sprocket 31 is non-rotatively secured to the shaft 34 and is connected with sprocket Z8 through a chain 38.

A manually operated brake element 39 is proment for lifting the machine when desired. A cylindrical member 44 is secured to the side members 2 and is adapted to receive a boom pole or the like for balancing the machine when necessary.

Wrapping mechanism spaced apertures 45, preferablyl but not limited rollers 41, supporting the gear adjacent or substantially flush with one side of the end plate 6. p

vided ,on the shaft 34 for decreasing the rotation of shaft. 34, especially on down grades, and to prevent accidental movement df the machine when-stopped. The shaft 34 extends from the bearing through an aperture 40 (Figure l2) l provided in end plate 6, and has pinned, or otherwise rigidly secured onits outer end a drive gear 4I. Y-

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that operation of the engine 22 rotates shaft 23, and

" with clutch 24 thrown in by handle 26, rotates sprockets 28 and 38 to actuate shaft 34 and gear 4I. Coupling 36 provides connection with gear reducer 3| and differential 30 to rotate shaft 2| of the differential. whereby sprockets 20, I5, I6 and I8 rotate traction wheels I2 to cause movementv of the machine along the pipe P. The differential 30 can be any desired ratio and the thereto, six apertures spacedsixty degrees apart.

Each of the apertures 45 is adapted to receive a shaft 46 carrying a roller 41 .and these rollers support a rotatable gear 48. The gear 48 is provided with an aperture er bore 49 complementary to a similar bore (not shown) provided in end plate 6. It will be apparent that the pipe P supporting the machine extends through the bore 49 as clearly disclosed in Figure 1. The outer periphery of annular gear 48.is provided with annular members 48a at opposite sides of a circumferential groove 50 serving as a track for The members 48a are provided with circumferentiaiiy disposed gear teeth 5I. An intermediate gear 52 is journaled on a shaft 53 supported by plate 6 and intermeshes with the teeth 54 of gear 4i, and teeth 6I of gear 48 to cause rotation of large gear 46.

Referring to Figure 4, the shaft 46 for each of the rollers 41 is secured to plate 6 by a nut'55. A spacer member or washer 56' is interposed between one side of plate 6 and the flanged body portion 51 of each roller 41. The portion of the shaft 46 extending through the aperture 45 is offset at 46a' from the center line of the shaft to provide an eccentric adjustment for each of the rollers 41. A bushing 58 is disposed in the apertured flange 51 of the roller. A washer 59 is interposed between roller 41 and shaft head 60. The shaft or bolt 46 may have a passageway, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, to receive lubricant or the like. The eccentric arrangement of the shaft 46 allows f/or variable adjustment of the .rollers 41 radially inward or outward toward and away from the annular groove 50 of the gear 48. In this manner it will be seen that the gear can be adjustably supported on the plate 6 in a de'- sired radial position with respect to the pipe P. Furthermore, the eccentric adjustments allows compensation for any wear and tear between rollers 41 and gear 48.

an apertured ear 13 .disposed normal thereto.

The ear 13 isI disposed in an apertured yoke memported on the spindle 16, sleeve 80 and a second.

spoo1 holder 82. The spool holder 82 is secured in position by any suitable tension clamping or latching means 83 disposed on the outer end of the spindle.

From the foregoing it will be apparent `that any one of preferably four (but not limited thereto) sets of socket members 8|, 62 and 63 are utilired for receiving variable length spindles carrying a wrapping roll. In practice normally two spindles and wrapping vrolls are disposed dlametrically opposite each other on `the gear ring, especially when using a covering such as asbestos felt' or the li'ke. However, the plurality of socket membersV allows for the support of as many as four rolls on the `gear ring 40. This is desired when covering the pipe with both asbestos felt, and a super-imposed paper covering. Supporting the main gear 40 from the outside with rollers 41, allows the roll carrying spindles to be moved closer toward the pipe thereby reducing the circular path made by rotation of the rolls, and thus eliminating considerable elevation of the pipe out of the ditch. Furthermore, the socket members 6|, 62 landY 63 allow for variable positioning of the rolls toward the pipe. The wrapping spool spindles 16 through the universal connection can be adjusted so that the wrapping material from The universal connection is ed and receives a threaded member 03. A helical spring 94 encircles each rod 92 and is anchored between member 03 and a plate 95 ofthe unit B5, Whilea second helical spring encircles rod ,along the pipe P.

one roll leads the material .drawn from the other roll by a.' slightly greater distance than'the width of the Wrapping material thereby applying successive overlapping convolutions of Wrapping material to the pipe so that covering materialv from one spool will entirely overlap or overlie that supplied from the other spool. 'I'he amount of overlap is determined by the speed of movement of the apparatus along the pipe relative to the speed of rotation of the wrapping gear 48. The differential 30 and vvariable speed reducer cooperate to maintain this relation in unison thereby assuringa ,desired lap according to a particular adjustment of the` rolls. SupportingV the large gear 48 on its outer periphery with the eccentrieally adjustable rollers 41 allows for a bore of greater diameter, so that the apparatus can be used on pipes of considerable variations in size. The eccentric adjustabilty of the rollers with respect to the gear 48 allows adjustment of the bore 49 in perfect alignment with the pipe P. The end plate 6 and gear 48 are covered by a shield 84 (Fig. 1)'.

The forward end of the frame is provided with a counterbalancing unit 85 (see Figures 1 and 5) comprising spaced bracket members 86 secured to the vcross member 5 and sump tank 1 of the machine. The bracket members are each provided with a takeup bearing 81 supporting a shaft 88 upon which are journaled wheels'89 adapted to bear against the lower side of the pipe P. Each of the bearings 81 is provided with a cage -90 in which is disposed the head 9| of a rod 92 extending vertically upward through the bracket members. The upper portion of each rod 92 is threadrigh't angles thereto as 92 and is anchored between the plate 95 and top of the cage 90. AIt will be apparent that adjustment of member 03 provides variable resilience to the wheels `89 tocounterbalance any extra weight oi the wrapping mechanism` thereby maintaining the machine in perfect equilibrium Coating shoe Referring to Figure '7 the coating shoe comprises a pair of cylindrical members Hit` and |01 of different diameters, with inner cylinder |06 disposed in outer cylinder |01. The cylinders are secured in proper spaced relation by a plu- :m rality of -circumferentially spaced bolts |08 (Fig,

8) extending through cylinder |01 and bearing against the outer periphery of. cylinder |06 to allow radial adjustment between the cylinder members. The cylinder |01 is provided adjacent its edge portions with internal threads |00 for receiving threaded rings H0. Each ring is provided with an angularly disposed annular flange having a beveled face |||a. The threaded connection of ring I|0 with cylinder |01 allows adjustment of the flangetoward and away from `the edge of the inner 'cylinder |06. It will be apparent th'at two ring members I0 are utilized to provide a pair of adjustable circular coating slots as will be hereinafter referred to. Coating material enters the chamber ||2 through a pipe ||3 communicating with a rotary pump to be lhereinafter referred to. A drain pipe' ||4 allows discharge of coating material from chamber ||2 when the shoe |00 is not being utilized. The rings ||0 are provided with spaced handles ||5 to facilitate their adjustment. It will be noted that. the hot bituminous material introduced through the pipe ||3 is maintained under pressure in chamber 2 to be ejected or discharged through the circular slots H6, and flooding all surfaces ofthe pipe in planes at substantially the machine moves along the pipe.

The circular edge of each flange extends slightly beyond the inner surface of cylinder |06 so that the coating material will be sprayed inwardly toward the middle of shoe |00. Any desired adjustment of theA rings ||0 can be made in order to discharge the coating material through the circular coating slots and onto the pipe, thus applying a uniform thickness of coat-y tively assure elimination of any bubbles inthe coated surface, the machine is equipped with a semicircu1ar spreader member |38 (Figure 2) suitably connected by hinging or the like to the rear of the coating shoe |00 and preferably supis provided with a bracket |2| to which is se- A cured the rotary pump |22. A stud shaft |23 extends from the pump and is provided with a tooth sprocket |24 connecting with the drive sprocket 29 by sprocket chain |25, The shaft |23I is journaled in a bearing |26 supported on a bracket |21 secured to the end plate The shaft extends through the bearing |26 and an aperture (not shown) in plate 6 to the outside of gear 4|), and the outer end portion of the shaft may be shaped to receive a wrench or other suitable tool used for manual rotation of the pump prior to operation of the machine when the coating material may be cold. A supply conduit |28 forms a continuation of the shoe inlet I3 and leads from the pump. A conduit `|29 provides communication between the pump i and the bottom of the sump tank 1, and upon rotation of the pump causes ow of the coating material from the sump tank into the pump and through pipe |28,into chamber ||2. A conduit |30 may serve to conduct hotgases from the heat pipe |20 to the pump for heating the latter.

A fuel tank |32 is bracketed to one side of the sump tank 1 adjacent the pump |22. The

fuel tank is provided with an air pump |33 and supplies fuel'to a burner |3| (Eig. 5) arranged at the inlet of the heater |20. Any suitable conduit means (not shown) can provide communication between the fuel tank outlet |134 and the burner. The tank |32 is provided with a fuel inlet |35`and'pressure gauge.|36.

Operation In operation of the drive mechanism by the motor 22 engagement of clutch 24 rotates shaft 34 causing rotation of the traction wheels I2 simultaneous with the rotation of the large gear 48 and paper roll 11. It will be apparent that the wrapping mechanism can be actuated separately and independenty of the coating mechanism. Since it is sometimes desired to coat the pipe without any i wrapping material applied over the coating, or to wrap the pipe Without coating material being iirst applied, the machine has been constructed for separate and independent operations of the coating and wrapping mechanism. TheI more usual situation, however, is to coat and wrap the pipe concomitantly in a single operation of the machine. Thus, the machine is constructed combining the coating and wrapping mechanism for simultaneous operation. To provide simultaneous function of the coating shoe |00 and pump |22 it is only necessary to engage the clutch 25 through operating the handle 21 thereby causing rotation of sprocket 29 and stud shaft |23 for the pump |22. With the roll spindles 16 supported in a proper socket member and adjusted relative to the pipe P to provide any`desired overlap, the engine is started to actuate'the traction Wheels for propelling the machine along the pipe P.v As the machine travels along the pipe P heated asphaltic material is ,pumped from the sump tank 1, through conduit |28 and into chamber ||2 of shoe |00 and discharged through slots H6.l Excess coating material falls back into the sump tank 1 where it is recirculated by pump |22 to the shoe |00 thereby eliminating any Wastewhatsoever in the coating material. The large 'gear 48 is rotated through shaft 34, gears 4| and 54 to cause circular movement of the predetermined number of spindles and wrapping rolls to -spirally wrap the pipe at the rear of the machine. It will be apparent that the covering material may include more than one layer such as a primary layer of asbestosl felt superimposed by a layer of paper or the like.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may bemade within the scope of the following ciaims vthout departing from the spirit of the inven- What I claim is:

l. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a frame adapted to be self-propelled along a. pipe, a rotatable ring gear adjustably mounted en the frame and surrounding the pipe, a plurality of sets ofwrapping material spindle receiving means carried by the gear, each receiving means of a set being spaced a different distance from the center of the ring gear than any other receiving means of that set, and being adapted to support a wrapping spindle in position relative to the center of the ring gear.

2. A pipe Wrapping machine comprising a frame adapted to be self-propelled along a pipe,

`a rotatable gear adjustable mounted on thfe trame and surrounding the pipe, a plurality of sets of wrapping material spindle receiving means carried by the gear, each receiving means of a set being spaced a diierent distance from the `center of the ring gear than any other receiving means of that set, and being adapted to support a Wrapping spindle in position relative to the pipe, a spindle operatively connected with one of said receiving means, and means for the frame.

4. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a frame adapted tobe self-propelled along a pipe an annular member mounted on the frame and surrounding the pipe, a rotatable gear, means carried by the member and cooperating with the outer periphery of the gear for supporting the gear on the annular member, said supporting means being eccentrically adjustable to cause movement of the gear radially of the pipe, a wrapping material spindle carried by the gear, and means on the gear for supporting the spindle 1n variable positions with respect to the pipe.

5. A pipe wrapping machine comprising a frame adapted to be self-propelled along a pipe, an annular member mounted on the frame and surrounding the pipe, a rotatable gear, means carried by the member and cooperating with material conduit and a coating discharge means for delivering the coating material in an annular stream onto the pipe, a coating supply reservoir carried by the frame below the shoe, means including a pump for feeding coating material from the reservoir to the conduit of the shoe, means carried by the frame and arranged at one side of said shoe for applying a wrapping material onto the coated surface of the pipe, and means for driving the wrapping means around the pipe in timed relation with the movement of the frame along the pipe. y

16. A combination coating and wrapping machine comprising a frame adapted to be selfpropelled along a pipe, a ring shaped coating shoe rigidly arranged at the central portion of the frame and adapted to substantially surround the pipe, said yshoe having an internal coating material conduit and a coating discharge means for delivering the coating material in an annular stream onto the pipe, a coating supply reservoir carried by the frame below the shoe, means including a pump for feeding coating material from the reservoir to the conduit of the shoe. and means carried by the frame and arranged at one side of said shoe 'for applying a wrapping material onto the coated surface of the pipe, said wrapping means being. operative independently of said pump. 1'7. Av combination coating and wrapping machine comprising a frame adapted to be selfpropelled along a pipe, a ring shaped coating shoe rigidly-arranged at the central portion of the frame and adapted to substantially surround the pipe, said shoe having an internal coating material conduit and a coating discharge means for delivering the coating material in an annular stream onto the pipe, a coating supply reservoir carried by the frame below the shoe, means including a pump for feeding coating material from the reservoir to the conduit of the shoe, and means carried by the frame and arranged at one side of said shoe for applying a wrapping material onto the coated surface of the pipe, said Wrapping meansl including a rotatable ring gear adjustably mounted on the frame and arranged coaxially with said shoe, and a plurality of wrapping material spindles carried by the gear and adapted to rotate therewith for spirally applying the wrapping material to the pipe.

18. A combination coating and Wrapping machine comprising a frame adapted to be selfp'ropelled along a pipe, a ring shaped Coating shoe rigidly arranged at the central portion ofthe frame and adapted to substantially surround the pipe, said shoe having an internal coating material conduit and a coating discharge means for delivering the coating material in 4an annular stream onto the pipe, a coating supply reservoir carried by the frame below the shoe, means including a pump for feeding coating material from the reservoir to the conduit of the shoe, and means carried by the frame and arranged at one side of said shoe for applying a wrapping material onto the coated surface of the pipe, said wrapping means including a rotatable ring gear adjustably mounted on the frame and arranged coaxially with the shoe, a plurality of wrapping material spindles carried by the gear and rotatable therewith for applying wrapping material about the pipe, and means for supporting each of the spindles in variable positions with respect to the axis of the gear.

JOSEPH R. HORRIGAN. 

